Kerry warns of violence if peace talks fail

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said here on Thursday that talks between the Palestinians and Israelis have been difficult so far, warning that if they fail there will be violence in the region. Speaking at a press conference in Amman, Jordan, Kerry told reporters there is no alternative to peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, stressing that the alternative to peace will be more conflict in the region. "Palestinians and Israelis need to take peace talks seriously... In spite of obstacles, talks have been difficult but also productive," said the U.S. official, who is charged with mediating between the two sides. On Syria, Kerry said the U.S. administration was working closely with Russia to end the crisis in the country. Kerry said he seeks to address the crisis during the Geneva II conference, which will be held within the coming days, stressing that the situation in Syria has serious consequences on the entire Middle East region. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, who met with Kerry on Thursday, said that commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative will help ensure security for all including Israel. The Jordanian official added the international community should expedite efforts to hold the Geneva II conference, calling for increased aid to Jordan so it could more effectively deal with the large number of Syrian refugees who fled their country into the Kingdom. "Jordan needs the international community's support as the burden of hosting Syrian refugees is immense," he said. Earlier in the day, King Abdullah II of Jordan met with Kerry, where he said the international community should prevent Israel's unilateral measures in the occupied Palestinian territories, the state-run Petra news agency reported. At the meeting, the King said Israeli measures, such as settlement construction, in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegitimate, illegal and hamper peacemaking efforts. Jordan, the King said, will continue to play its role in helping push the peace talks forward between the Palestinians and the Israelis based on the two-state solution that leads to the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. On Syria, King Abdullah reiterated the country's support for a political solution that ends the suffering of the Syrian people and puts an end to the conflict. Kerry is scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman later on Thursday.